Andromeda's Violent Past Unveiled through Galactic Archeology

A galactic archaeology project has revealed that the Andromeda galaxy, the closest large galaxy to the Milky Way, has a violent and dramatic history. By examining the chemical compositions of stars in Andromeda, researchers concluded that it experienced intense star formation and two distinct eras of star birth. The galaxy's turbulent past includes a "wet merger" with another gas-rich galaxy. This new understanding sheds light on the nature of the collision and its effect on Andromeda's stellar population. Furthermore, the study suggests that Andromeda's future will be equally turbulent, as it is on a collision course with the Milky Way in around 4.5 billion years.